Athlete of the Week: Blaire Thomas

Junior Blaire Thomas and the West High girls have just one major goal for the end of the season --

State Championship

And that's a big deal since the Wahawks next girls state basketball title -- would be the first in school history -- but with Thomas leading the way -- head coach Dr Tony Pappas believes his team has a shot:

Dr. Tony Pappas said: "She's got to be consistent night in and night out, and just be a good leader on the floor, and if she can do that, we've got some other very good players, if they can all do that we feel like we've got a legitimate shot to compete for a state championship"

Thomas -- who's shooting 52 percent from the floor this season -- leads a talented group -- Haley Puk is class 5A's top 3 point shooter -- while Sammie Sproul is number one in assists -- and

Thomas says there's a couple things they need from everyone to reach their goal 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Blair said, "Hard work and dedication from everyone, not just the starting 5, and not just the 6th man, but everyone on the team."

As a junior -- Blaire Thomas will have a couple chances to reach the number spot -- after that -- her journey will take to Ames and the floor of Hilton Coliseum -- where Coach Pappas expects her to thrive --

Pappas said "She plays hard, she's very explosive, she's very athletic, and that's what Iowa State really liked about her, her athleticism. That's what makes her special. In their words, they feel she's a Big 12 type of athlete."

But that's the future -- and Thomas says she has some business to take care of at West first.

That makes two for Josey Jewell. The Iowa senior picked up Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Decorah native matched a career high 16 tackles in Iowa's last second loss to fourth ranked Penn State.

That makes two for Josey Jewell. The Iowa senior picked up Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Decorah native matched a career high 16 tackles in Iowa's last second loss to fourth ranked Penn State.